Question 5.p.5: Processes are commonly represented in either of two ways. On...
Processes are commonly represented in either of two ways. One style uses blocks to represent operations. A similar style uses circles rather than blocks: (1)
Process can operate in series, as shown in the preceding diagram, or in parallel,
as shown here: (2)
Question: What is the capacity (attainable output) of this system? (3)
The attainable output of each portion of the system is equal to the output of the slowest operation. So the output of the upper portion is 10 units per hour and the output of the lower portion is 9 units per hour. Together the two portions can produce 10 + 9 = 19 units per hour. Although operation #7 can handle 20 units per hour, only 19 units per hour come from the two previous portions of the system, so the system output can only be 19 units per hour.